.

-7; _. ‘. ._’ 1; ._’ :

,,i “&beril df the UnitedS&tes, . - : ‘.- .. -_._,,_ :._. f

. .referr_<d;‘tq as.Th& Panel).met _...__ .

f&r physicians (hereafter sonietimes

in Wash'ing'ton, D. C. on February 26 1,

: 2.. a&:?7 to examine various photographs, X-ray films, documents and

.: : .I.. A-

:

..^. ..__--‘A., -:.;.-..,‘:.:d

->._;Yy_ .

i .-.,_ :-. ,_;;I,; '_ _."' .;._ L ,;.. ?:y other Bvidence pertaining to the. death of President Kennedy, and

_. '.i/..,. ._' . _-- : ,;. -.:+: _. .i : _~..<~ ., r

-7 .:_L;*.%

.;_ _<_' -- r-r . . . to evalua;e"their significance in relation to the medical conclusions

. . _;. : :‘ ‘,:-: . . . . I , .

2. ‘T_‘.. :

l-l \ .; ,? ,recorded in the Autopsy Report on the body of Preside'nt Kennedy

N .; ,. _‘.;. *e-+2. _ I.. _..21 signed by,Comnander J. J. Humes, Medical Corps; United States Navy,

.:. : _’ :: ._

C&&nd~$~,~. Thornton. Boswell-,,Medical Corps, United States Navy .aid .

.-: ‘.; . . . -.

‘_ . .._

Unite< States ..-<.

(3) Morgan,' Russell H., M.D., &ofessor of Radiology, School '.

of Medicine, ‘.

and Professor of Radiological Science, _School

of Hygiene and Public Health, The Johns Hopkins University,

Baltimore, Maryland, nominated by Dr. Lincoln Gordon,

President of The Johns Hopkins University.

: (4) Moritz, Alan R., M.D., Professor of Pathology, Case

,

'Western Re.serve University, Cleveland, Ohio and former

. Professor of Forensic Medicine, Harvard University,

nominated by Dr. John A. Hannah, President of Michigan

State University.

i- Bruce Bromley, a member of the New York Bar who had been

:. ndmknated by the President of the American Bar Association and -..:

: .

thereafter requested by the Attorney General to act as legal counsel

to The Panel was present throughout The Panel's examination of the

exhibits and collaborated with The Panel in the preparation of this

.% medical conclusions reached in.

:. .. ._ i. . . .. ;k . ’ . .; . . Previous Reports :_.:;.. ., .: .'. - ..:. .:I ‘. ..j . . ; : . . . . .._ . : . _ .I.-.‘. ._ 2.: ;-:.-; :. : .___ -. . . . . f ..;,._ .-.::_ _ .‘__I ”

‘. : -;. .., 'The-Autopsy Repdrfl'stated that X-rays had been made of the .,_* : !' -1‘ .' .;. .

__ _. ii_ .:: _,_ .i .;.;._, i .I..':. ..:. -.__ :_

..(_ _- .‘.- ;‘-.,.' :r'- -. .: ._ . . .

-:I'-".- enti&:-b&$'o.il tK&:' a.e$ased. i-. Thi".s&el Is inven&& diSclosed X_&~. ,: - ,.,-:;. .,i::_

. l

. .

:.

- 3 -

films of the entire body except for the lower arms, wrists and

hands and the tower legs, ankles and feet.

The Autopsy Report also

follows:

"The fatal missile

described the decedent's wounds as

.

entered the skull above and to

the right- of the external occipital protuberance. A

portion of the projectile traversed the cranial cavity

in a posterior-anterior direction (see lateral skull

roentgenograms).depositing minute particles along its

path. A portion of the projectile made its exit through

the parietal bone on the right carrying with it portions

. of cerebrum, skull and scalp. The two wounds of the

skull combined with the force of the missile produced

extensive fragmentation of the skull, laceration of the

superior sagittal sinus, and of the right cerebral

hemisphere.,

The other missile entered the

posterior thorax above the scapula

soft tissues of the supra-scapular

clavicular portions of the base of

right superior -.

and traversed the

and the supra-

the right side of -.. . _

the neck. This missile produced contusions of the

right.apical parietal pleura and of the ap&al portion -

. . of the right upper lobe of the lung. The missile

'; contused the strap muscles of the right side of the : . : ._ . . . I,. - neck, damaged the trachea and made its exit through

.--

‘. _’

. . . . _.

the anterior surface of the neck. As far as can be

ascertained this missile struck no bony structures in

its path through the body.

In addition, it is our opinion that

the skull produced such extensive damage

the wound of

to the brain

. . . as to preclude the possibility of the deceased surviving

this'injury."

The medical conclusions of the Warren Commission Report (p.19)

. concerning President Kennedy's wounds are as follows:

"The nature of the bullet wounds suffered by President

Kennedy * * * and the location of the car at the time

of the shots establish that the bullets were fired

from above and behind the Presidential limousine,

striking the President -ir * * as follows:

President Kennedy was first struck by a bullet

which en,tered at the back of his neck and exited

through the lower front portion of his neck, causing ._

a wound which would not necessarily have been lethal.

The President was struck a second time by a bullet

which' entered the right rear portion of his head,

causing a massive and fatal wound.'!

_. --

L

:.. . :: :

-. . . ‘..

. l

InRntory of Material Examined

Black and white and colored prints and transparencies

Head viewed from above #5(9JB), 8(7JB),, 13(8JB), 16(10JB), 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37

Head viewed from right and above to include part of face, neck, shoulder and upper chest

#3(14JB), 4(13JB);11(6JB), 12(5JB), 26, 27, 28, 40, 41

. . . Head and neck viewed from left side

- #6(3JB), 15(4JB), 17(2JB), 18(1JB), 29, 30, 31

Head viewed from behind 97(16JB), 14(15JB), 42, 43

Cranial cavity with brain removed viewed from above and in front 81(18JB), Z(17JBa; 44, 45 .

Back of body including neck 39(11JB), 10(12JB), 38, 39

Brain viewed from above #SO, 51, 52

Brain viewed from below #46, 47, 48, 49

The black and white and color negatives corresponding to the above were present and there were also seven black and white negatives of the brain yithout corresponding prints. These were numbered 19 through 25(JTB) and appeared to represent the same views as 346 through 52. All of the above were listed in a memorandum of transfer, located in the National Archives, and dated April 26, 1965.

-.

X-ray films. (The films bore the number 21296 and an inscription indicating that they have been made at the U.S. Naval Hospital, Bethesda, Maryland on'11/22/63.)

Skull, A-P view a1

Skull, left lateral 82, 3

64 ,,. 5 ,' 6 .. ; . __ I : _. 2 ::-$; . . .’

_’ : - . . . Thoraco-lumbar ‘region; A-P.v~~&.~~ : ‘--

. . 87:;: 11 . : 1: :, y::_ ‘. ‘.‘. :::I- . . . ., . .: _

C&t; A-p vim-. .;’ .: .:.. ; .: :.‘:. . . .

. . : : #g

. .-

. .;: : ;‘,. 1 :., .

.

‘. .;

.-.. ,

( .’

.._-. . .

I

: I

. rc

_.

: :

._Z’.‘

. .

.:- . _.

;

-;

‘; . _. .

.: .

.T

-_ <

,-6-. /

Right hemithorax, shoulder and upper arm, A-P view

$8

Left hemithorax, shoulder and uppqr'arm, A-P view 810

Pelvis, A-P view

813

. .

Lower femurs and knees, A-P view

#i2

Upper legs, A-P view

#14

Bullets

. CE 399 - A whole bullet

CE 567 - Portion of nose of a bullet

CE 569 - Portion of base segment of a bullet

CE 840 - 3 fragments of lead

Motion picture films

CE 904 - Zapruder film

CE 905 -Nix film

CE 906 - Muchmore film

Series of single frames (215 through 334

Clothing

CE 393 - Suit coat

CE 394 - Shirt,

CE 395 - Neck tie

._ .> from Zapruder film

Documents. .-v -

: ._ .I an;. Warren’ c i-: ._

y$.ssion'_~s~ Report.."and ” . :- . i ~.

the. ac&panying' volumes of .: . . . : :

;

.:.

. c / . : . . . ,‘.

‘. - . ...’

. , . . .

. .

-_. .: . . .

‘. / - :.. ; ._ ,.. . . .

. . . . . _ ::

with minor loss of cortex are seen on the. inferior surface of the first -_

left;, temporal convolution-2 The’ orbital g-&f on the left show' contusion ” .. _ ‘. ., , .: ._ .,.‘. j_.., _ ,,_,. -.; ,_‘

_ I__. :. &.th:‘so&e underlying iosS'?of' cortex;:-'The:&lvian fissure on the right . ‘1 ‘.: _ ; .i; I. _ ,. _.._ . . . ..:.._. , . . . . ., .’

.{ ,’ : . -._ . ” _ -.

‘. : . . ... : side-has: been. opened revii&ng.‘i rolled-up ‘mass of arachnoid and blood _

.: . . . . .-- . . . .

; ‘: clot.which is dark brown.to black in color,. The mid-temporal region ‘_ *

;: : .:.. : * ‘. :

,. .’ ii, depressed and. its surface. lacerated ;’ The peduncles have been, . . . .r..:::‘. -.:.. .::* , _

, - : : ,‘y:,;; . : .z ‘: -I>:.,

.;._..I:.. _--“.I lacerated, ‘probably’ &ncid:&t ‘to’ the: removal of the contents from “the ,: ._,..,... ..:..;.,

.,__ _$y,: ., ,:;;., -,. . ;:y . . .

. ; : .. .,::,p ,,... :’ .;. ‘. . .;‘i.. . . . .; .-‘_ . . 5 .:,. ;-y__.;: .. ;;sc;T:; ..(. 1 “‘;;: :. .-_ :,::. 1. :;: .: . .i . . . . : . . . . ‘.. _:-.~I’-“;;.;:;;..~, :‘.:A,.: .-,. .I ‘_ ._, ::. . _-_ . . ._

. . : ;+:_._ .‘~~. _ .C .p: I. .__ ..I, ,... n . . . .

_)_ _. , ; :.; >.- ;.. ~~._ ,: <..,c. ,.; ;~,.,~‘::,.,:..~..“ ;._-.~=;:=,;;;;~.i.~~ ~:‘~~~‘>‘;,_~:,..‘~.‘,: ::.y:.:_~;;i~, :--. .: - .,.‘?,’ ‘..,, +. . “(.

._‘L.>.‘: $?C,, 4_>;.~v,,~~.. +.+“‘“: ” .:.’ ‘: ..’ - ‘.’ :.’ ‘.T yS:?A.: i . . .* .%L:, .c ‘..‘.‘..v-%

_,:. _ ,;‘.~;..~~~~,;~~~~~~~.~~~~,~~~~~_~~~;~~~~~~~,~~t3,~~~L;..’~~~.~;‘~,‘:~::I~~~,.“:- - ; :,. ‘.:

/.’ :- .f :. . : &-:; -

. . .

_7_

Examination of photographs of head

Photographs 7, 14, 42 and 43 show the back of the head, the

contours of which have been grossly distorted by extensive fragmentation

of the underlying calvarium. There is an elliptical penetrating wound

of the scalp situated near the midline and high above the hairline. The

position of this wound corresponds to the hole in the skull seen in the

lateral.X-ray film #2. (See description of X-ray films.) The long axis

of this wound corresponds to the long axis of the skull. The wound was

judged to be approximately six millimeters wide and fifteen millimeters ’

long. The margin of this wound shows an ill-defined zone of abrasion.

Photographs 5, 8, 13, 16, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36 and 37 show the top

of the head with multiple gaping irregularly stellate lacerations of

the scalp over the right parietal, temporal and frontal regions.

Photographs 1, 2, 44 and 45 show the frontal region of the skull

and a portion of the internal aspect of the back of the skull. Due to

lack of contrast of the structures portrayed and lack of clarity of

detail in these photographs the only conclusion reached by The Panel

from study of this series was that there was no exiting bulled defect

in the supra-orbital region of the skull.

Photographs 46, 47, 48’and 49 are of the inferior aspect of the .~

brain and’show extensive deformation with laceration and fragmentation

of the right cerebral hemisphere. Irregularly shaped areas of contusion :

.’ ,. f a .

‘. - .

4 i’ .

. c

e w

.

c)

- . .._ : . . ..

e- . -.

-. ._ \ ..

i.

Zi

di

-: :: ; . . . : ; ..; .:- 1

: .

. .

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-.

1

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.

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- . . ._

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cranium.

Photographs SO, 51 and 52 show the superior aspect of the brain.

The left cerebral hemisphere is covered by a generally intact arachnoid

with evidence of subarachnoid hemorrhage especially over the parietal

and frontal gyri and in the sulci. The right cerebral hemisphere is

extensively_lacerated. It is transected by a broad canal running-

generally in a postero-anterior direction and to the right of the midline.

Much of the roof of this canal is missing as are most of the overlying

frontal and parietal gyri. In the central portion of its base there can

be@ seen a gray brown rectangular structure measuring approximately :

13 x 20 mm. Its identity cannot be established by The Panel. In addition

to the superficial and deep cortical destruction, it can be seen that the

corpus callosum is widely torn in the midline.

These findings indicate that the back of the head was struck by a

single bullet travelling at high velocity, the major portion of which

passed forward through the right cerebral hemisphere, and which produced

an explosive type of fragmentation of the skull and laceration of the

scalp. The appearance of the entrance wound in the scalp is-consistent

with its having been produced by a bullet similar to that of exhibit

CE 399. The photographs do not disclose where this bullet emerged from

the head although' those showing the'interior of the cranium with the

brain removed indicate that it.did not emerge from the supra-orbital

region. Additional information regarding -t'Re course of the bullet is -

pre'sented in. the’di~sc~ss~ion of the X-ray films; I . . : . . I.,.., : .:“.’ . . i;

‘. A. Ex~amination~o$ photographs of anterior and posterior views .: ,,_ . ‘.:_ - . -..,of-.lfh'o.rg,' @d: anterior;: posterior. and lateral views of neck

'(Photographs: 3,'4; 6;'9;.10, 11, 12; IS; 17, 18, 26, 27, 78, _' . ._ :_ . . :' :_ 29;. 30, 31;'.-38, 39, 40, 41) i . ,. ,, _ ‘. a’.- I - : . :. .: ,.: : : . . . ‘_

‘.There,is.an elii$ical penetrating wound of the'skid of the back

’ \

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,-. . .

ci

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.I

,._I

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located approximately 15 an. medial to the right acromial process,

5 cm. lateral to the mid-dor-sal line and 14 cm. below the right

mastoid process. This wound lies approximately 5.5 cm. below a

transverse fold in the skin of the neck. This fold can also be

seen in a lateral view of the neck which shows an anterior

tracheotomy .wound. This view makes it possible to compare the

. . levels of these two wounds in relation to that of the horizontal

plane of the body.

A well defined zone of discoloration of the edge of the back

wound, most pronounced on its upper and outer margins, icieitifies

it as having the characteristics of the entrance wound of a bullet.

The wound with its marginal abrasion measures approximatqly 7 urn.

in width by 10 mm. in length. The dimensions of this cutaneous

wound are consistent with those of a wound produced by a bullet

similar to that which constitutes exhibit CE 399.

At the site of and above the tracheotomy incision in the

front of the neck, there can be identified the upper half of the

_. circumference of a circular cutaneous wound the appearance of

which is characteristic of that of the exit wound of a bullet.

The lower half of this circular wound is obscured by the surgically

produced tracheotomy incision which‘transects it. The center of

the circular wound is situated approximately 9 cm. below the

.transverse fold in the skin of the neck described in a preceding -

paragraph. This indicates’ that the’bullet which ‘I;roduced the two . . .

..- ‘wounds. followed a’ course downward 7

. through the body; ‘.

iE EX~iZlBtiOIl Of

. . ._. _

._ . -..

.- ._ .: The film8 submitted includ.&i: I . :.. ., .; .’

..’ : 1

and; to .the left: in- its hassage _

,.

;_- : .’

an’.ahtero-posterior film,of .‘.. . . . . ;

. _, . . ..-. -

!. i’.

.

u,

. .- . , -/ / f’

- 10 -

the skull (#l), two left lateral views of the skull taken in

slightly different projections (82 and 3), three views of a group

of three separate bony fragments from the skull (94, 5 and 6),

two antero-posterior views of the thoraco-lumbar region of the

trunk (#7 and ll), one antero-posterior view of the right hemithorax,

shoulder and upper arm (i/8), one antero-posterior view of the chest

(7?9), one

and upper

. and knees

antero.-posterior view of the left hemithorax, shoulder

arm (#lo), one antero-posterior view of the lower femurs

(#12), one antero-posterior view of the pelvis (813) and

‘..

one antero-posterior view of the upper legs (314).

Skull: There are multiple fractures of the bones of the

calvarium bilaterally. These fractures extend into the base of

the skull and involve the floor of the anterior fossa on the right

side as well as the middle fossa in the midline. With respect to

the right fronto-parietal region of the skull, the traumatic damage

is particularly severe with extensive fragmentation of the bony

structures from the midline of the frontal bone anteriorly to the

vicinity of the posterior margin of the parietal bone behind:.

Above, the fragmentation extends approximately 25 mm. across the

midline to involve adjacent portions of the left parietal bone;

belti, the changes extend into the right temporal bone. Throughout

this region, many of the bony pieces have been displaced outward; . .

several pieces are missing. P' _’ -

'.'_ Distributed through-'the..right terebrai hemisphere' ar.e numerous ‘/

. fragmenf's.iL'most of which are less than . . - . . .:. ,, y:‘, .__~ : ‘.:, ;. ‘.. :‘: . _ .:

.--

:: .

-.

OQ’i)~$ _. ..: .’ . .: ” ..<.--

:“.-. _

. -, . a -

. .

cj

. . .._._ .- .- ., .c.

_ :.:

i 1 i ;.

. *

e.. . .

-ll-

anteriorly and superiorly. None can be visualized on the left side

of the brain and none below a horizontal plane through the floor

of the anterior fossa of the skull.

On one of the lateral films of the skull (#2), a hole

measuring approximately 8 mm. in diameter on the outer surface of

the skull and as much as 20 mm. on the internal surface can be seen

in profile approximately 100 mm. above the external occipital

’ protuberance. The bone of the lower edge of the hole is depressed.

Also there is, embedded in the outer table of the skull close to

the lower edge of the hole, a large metallic fragment which on the

antero-posterior film (31) lies 25 mm. to the right of the midline.

This fragment as seen in the latter film is round and measures

6.5 ~llin. in diameter. Immediately adjacent to the hole on the

internal surface of the skull, there is localized elevation of the

soft tissues. Small fragments of bone lie within portions of these

tissues and within the hole itself. These changes are consistent

with an entrance wound of the skull produced by a bullet similar.

to that of exhibit CE 399.

The metallic fragments visualized within the right cerebral

hemisphere fall into two

large fragments, more or

group consists of finely .

groups. One group consists.of relatively

less randomly distributed. The second

divided fragments, distributed in a

postero-anterior. direction in a region 45 nuii. long and 8 mm. wide. .

: As seen on lateral film #2 this formation overlies the position of ‘_ :- : . ..‘.. *. ;. _.:

..’ 7 the coronal . . :

through the

. suture; its long axis if extended posteriorly passes

._

above-mentioned hole. It appears to end anteriorly .-* . .’

immediately below the badly fragmented frontal and parietal bones . .

..y just anterior to the” region of the coronal suture. .

. - . * * .

.

cj

._. .,

The foregoing observations indicate that the decedent’s head

was struck from behind by a single projectile. It .entered the

occipital region 25 mm. to the right of the midline and 100 mm.

above the external occipital protuberance. The projectile

fragmented on entering the skull, one major section leaving a trail

_ .

emerged from the head.

of fine metallic debris as it passed forward and laterally to . . .

explosively fracture the right frontal and parietal bones as it

In addition to the foregoing, it is noteworthy that there is

‘no evidence of projectile fragments in the left cerebral tissues

or in the right cerebral hemisphere below a horizontal plane

passing through the floor of the anterior fossa of the skull.

Also, although the fractures of the calvarium extend to the left

of the midline and into the anterior and middle fossae of the

skull, no bony defect such as one created by a projectile either

entering or leaving the head is seen in the calvarium to the left

of the midline or in the base of the skull. Hence, it is not

reasonable to postulate that a projectile passed through the head

in a direction other than that described above.

Of further note, when the X-ray films of the skull.were

presented to The Panel, film al had been damaged in two small

regions by what appears to be the heat from a spot light. Also,

on film 1’12, a pair of converging pencil line-S-had been drawn on -

the film. Neither of these artifacts interfered with the

interpretation of the films.

\ :

. - . .a.

_ to be unrelated to the wounds or'their causation.

,

-. _’ : .._ .- i . . . . Ki__. _ : ._. ‘:_ _: ..,-i . ..._..; .*‘.,’ _ . . ;. -.. i..:.:_;,:;,, ‘_ .., :,..;: :.:_.z...:>m.’ 3.; ‘_. ;: : ‘. : . ‘. ., ,_ .a;.. ..< :: .-_ :.:~._-~..,,~~~:,.‘-: . ‘.‘.. ..‘, ‘J.1‘ _ .y ;;,i;:,.- * 1. :: i ._ ._‘:_: :;’ -_.- >;J _. - . ‘ ;+,;.py _ ‘_, .- :- y’ . i :..-* . _... .__ . . , L . _ ,;.~.-b~~:‘~:-:~_=~:’ .,..:.. .“; ;.I: .y. ;., f . I. ._ ;. ,,: :.:, ‘.: * .’ _, .’ . .) ‘,.’ ;_.;.I ‘y. : . i’ ;. ; ~. ,.. ;-._: . ,I_. . . ; _. 1. : _ :. i .. .L . .1--;;_;__ . - , * ., .z.;_.._., __.: .’ _.~‘:.:‘.“‘.“.‘:r.~~ I

. . 7 F P

- 13 -

Neck Region: Films 88, 9 and 10 allowed visualization of the

lower neck. 'Subcutaneous emphysema is present just to the right

of the cervical spine immediately above the apex of the right lung.

Also several small metallic fragments are present in this region.

There is no evidence of fracture of either scapula or of the

.._ clavicles, or'of the ribs or of any of the cervical and thoracic

. -

vertebrae.

The foregoing observations indicate that the pathway of the

projectile involving the'neck was confined to a region to the

. right of the spine and superior to a plane passing through the

upper margin of the right scapula, the apex of the right lung and

the right clavicle. Any other

fractured one or more bones of

pathway would have almost certainly

the right shoulder girdle and thorax.

Other Regions Studied: No bullets or fragments of bullets

are demonstrated in X-rayed portions of the body other than those

described above. On film 313, a 5~1211 round opaque structure, a

little more than 1 mm. in diameter, is visible just to the right of _.

the midline at the level of the first sacral segment of the spine.

Its smooth characteristics are not similar to those of the projectile

fragments seen in the X-rays of the skull and neck.

Examination of the Clothing

Suit Coat (CE 393) A ragged oval hole about 13 mm. long -- --

(vertically) is located 5 cm. to the right of the midline in the

back of the coat .at a point about 12 cm. below the upper edge of

: .-. the coat co'llar. A smaller ragged hole

midline and about 4 cm. below the upper .

overlie any corresponding damage to the shirt or skin and appears

which is located near the

edge of the collar does not"-

a \

_* .*.r . . . . . . . -

- 14 -

- ..e . . ,. . . front of the shirt in a position corresponding to the place where

. -W.-i.

the knot of the neck tie would normally be.

I.. ; z ; -.

Tie (CE 395) In the front component of the knot of the tie in

C-l \ ; i'-I's

the outer layer of fabric a ragged tear about 5 mm. in maximum

- -I 4 ‘.-a I:

5 '. i.

diameter is located 2.5 cm. below the upper edge of the knot and

tn.

I.. zz __

to the left of the midline.

Shirt (CE 394) A ragged hole about 10 mm. long vertically

and corresponding to the first one described in 'the coat, is

located 2.5 cm. to the right of the midline in the back of the

shirt at a point 14 cm. below the upper edge of the collar. Two'

linear holes 15 mm. long are found in the overlapping hems of the

.; ”

Discussion *

‘. The information disclosed by the joint examination of the

: < foregoing exhibits by the members of The Panel supports the

. . following conclusions:

his

The decedent was wounded by two bullets both of which entered

body from behind.

One bullet struck the back of the decedent's head well above

the external occipital protuberance. Based upon the observation

that he was leaning forward with his head turned obliquely to the

left when this bullet struck, the photographs and X-rays indicate -z

that it came from a site above and slighfiy to his right. This

. '. . :., .: bul-let fragmented after entering the. cranium, one major piece of ._ :.. Y.;. : :.‘.:..._ ,- ‘_ . _-..:. .

. ; : ., ‘.. . . i ‘.it:passing forward and laterally~.td"produce an explosive fracture .”

‘. .

: . .(.-_. ‘_ . . ., ai ., .:. ._- ‘. : _ .--

;. -. ., Of the“right side of the 'skull as it emerged from the head. .’ .: . . . : _ ..: ._ .

..__ :: .: .:. _ .

,. : .. :... _

:. ._ .::.. : : ._. . ..I.. : .c T j. . .

,. . .- I _. 7 . L.:: ,.. :_ .,:‘I: . . *. .,‘_ *:.,. . ;.,, 7.:” _, - .

__‘. .; ., .,, ‘..,; ,..._ ‘.Y... :_._ _.,_ ‘.,. _; ‘. .*< ..,, I :..& __. ‘..., ., : . . . _.,. .L :. _.,‘.‘.. I .,

,. . . . !-

. . .__ L 1. :: ..,, .:

.;t-. *‘. 7. t.-/- . . .-

8 -‘% ; 2. . . ‘i .,..’

i. . - 15 -

The absence of metallic fragments in the left cerebral hemisphere

or below the level of the frontal fossa on the r’ight side together

with the absence of any holes in the skull to the left of the midline

or in its base and the absence of any penetrating injury of the left

hemisphere eliminate with reasonable certainty the possibility of a

..__

,.

projectile having passed through the head in any direction other

than from back to front as described in preceding sections of this _ .

report.

The other bullet struck the decedent’s back at the right side

of the base of the neck between the shoulder and spine and emerged

from the front of his neck near the midline. The possibility that

this bullet might have followed a pathway other than one passing

through the site of the tracheotomy wound was considered. No

evidence for this was found. There is a track between the two

cutaneous wounds as indicated by subcutaneous emphysema and small .

,

metallic fragments on the X-rays and the contusion of the apex of

the right lung and laceration of the trachea described in the. :

Autopsy Report. In addition any path other than one between the

two cutaneous wounds would almost surely have been intercepted by

bone and the X-ray films show no bony damage in the thorax or neck.

The possibility that the path of the bullet through the neck

might have been more satisfactorily explored by the insertion of a

.

:

.

-

/ finger or probe was considered. : ./.

ObviouslyThe cutaneous wound in -. : : -,

theback was too small to permit the insertion of a finger. The .’ I, “:.

._._..

. . .

: i

c

insertion of a metal probe would have carried the risk of creating

a, false passage in part, because of the changed relationship of

muscles at the time of autopsy and in part because of the existience

of post-mortem rigidity. Although the precise path of the bullet

could undoubtedly have been demonstrated by complete dissection of

the soft-tissu.e between the two cutaneous wounds, there is no reason

to believe that the information disclosed thereby would alter

significantly the conclusions expressed in this report.

Summary

Examination of the clothing and of the photographs and X-rays

taken at autopsy reveal that President Kennedy was struck by two

bullets fired from above and behind him, one of which traversed

the base of the neck on the right side without striking bone and

. . . the other of which entered the skull from behind and exploded. its

.

right side. . .

The photographs and X-rays discussed herein support the

above-quoted.portions of the original Autopsy Report and the .__ _

above-quoted medical conclusions of the Warren Commission Report.

e n.

./- : -_ : ‘:

, i‘ : *

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William H. Carnes, M.D.

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ussell S. Fisher, M.D.. ’ Date :.‘, . .“’ . ,a.. . _ \ .. ‘- .-:’